Your shower faucet may not fully shut off due to various reasons, including trying to conserve water. It can be an annoying experience.
A common culprit is an issue with your cartridge, which regulates how much cold and hot water comes out of your faucet.
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1. The handle is stuck
A drip or leaky shower faucet can be an annoying issue, particularly if you use hot water or have children in the bathroom. However, there are simple solutions to fix your faucet so that you can keep using it without fear of further damage or injury.
First and foremost, turn off the water supply to your house. This usually takes place in either your basement or garage.
Next, use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry under your faucet’s cover plate to reveal its handle screw. In many cases, tightening this screw will solve your problem and allow the handle to turn completely off.
If you are uncertain how to tighten a screw, don’t worry; call in an expert. They can diagnose the issue and provide solutions.
Another option is to replace the cartridge of your faucet. This process should only take a few minutes and requires you to take apart the faucet handles, cartridge, and other parts in order to access inside of your faucet.
Once the old cartridge has been taken out, you can replace it with one made specifically for your faucet type. This will guarantee that your shower faucet works again.
One common reason a faucet won’t shut off completely is due to mineral deposits on its stem.
Turning off the shower faucet can become a frustrating challenge when the handle becomes stuck. To loosen it, try gently pulling away from its stem with either a wrench or by gently pulling with your hand.
If the above solution does not work, you will need to repair the end of the handle’s stem. Doing so will provide a much better grip and make turning off the water much simpler.
If the handle on your valve stem is stuck, you can try to loosen it by brushing the threaded end with some pipe-thread sealant. This should keep the stem in place and prevent the handle from becoming stuck, but won’t solve the problem completely.
2. The stem is damaged
If your shower faucet isn’t closing completely, there could be an issue with its stem. This could be due to a cracked or broken stem, or it could simply be due to mineral buildup in the tap itself.
If your stem is damaged, the first step should be replacing it with a new one. However, before doing this, try to identify what caused the problem so that you can make an informed decision regarding what needs to be changed.
For example, if you find that the handle on your shower is loose or starting to grind away, tightening the stem screw may help solve this problem and keep it from sliding when using the shower.
Another potential cause of loosening stems is a broken valve clip. To remove one, use your valve and socket pliers.
Be sure to securely close the drain in your bathroom after taking out the stem, in order to avoid losing any screws or other small parts down the line.
Once the handle has been taken off the stem, inspect the cartridge inside. This cartridge is responsible for controlling water flow in your shower faucet; if it becomes stuck, water won’t come out of the shower.
Next, replace the cartridge with a new one to resolve this problem and ensure your shower faucet won’t leak anymore.
Depending on the type of shower faucet you own, there are different ways to replace its cartridge. For instance, if it is made out of brass or copper, chances are good that a replacement cartridge can be easily found.
When replacing the cartridge, make sure the hot and cold halves align in exactly the same way they did when the original cartridge was installed. Doing this can prevent leaks and water damage. Furthermore, test the faucet to confirm its functionality before shutting off its water supply.
3. The seat washer is damaged
The seat washer is the part that seals the valve stem to your shower faucet. If it becomes worn out, you could potentially experience leaks in your faucet.
A new washer can be purchased at most hardware stores and certain DIY or plumbing supply stores. They come in packs of various sizes to accommodate most faucets and are usually sold at an affordable price point.
You can tell if your faucet requires a washer by inspecting the threads on its stem, which are secured in place with a brass screw. If these threads appear severely corrosion or worn, you’ll need both a new stem and washer set.
If your faucet features a swiveling washer, you may be able to replace it yourself without visiting the store. These washers close with an easy, frictionless action and tend to last longer than fixed washers.
To replace a washer, take a plumber’s wrench and unscrew the old one from its stem. Next, coat the new washer with nontoxic, heatproof plumber’s grease. Be sure to coat the packing nut as well with some additional grease so it stays tight and doesn’t leak.
It’s best to use a liquid-thread seal with your replacement washer in order to avoid corrosion issues. Before reassembling your faucet, be sure to flush out any debris that has settled into the system.
When replacing a valve seat, it’s essential to find an exact match for your faucet. This task can prove challenging and may necessitate special tools like a seat wrench, valve seat grinder or dresser.
Once you’ve located a suitable replacement, use your wrench to tighten it into place and turn clockwise firmly. Once secure, close the valve stem and reassemble your faucet.
A damaged valve seat can cause your shower faucet to leak and drip, so it’s essential to replace it as soon as you notice a problem. If your shower faucet still leaks after replacing the valve seat, contact professional plumbing services like Clean Line Plumbing who are experienced at repairing faucets or installing new ones.
4. The cartridge is stuck
A shower faucet that won’t shut off completely can be an irritating issue and cost you money in water and energy bills. It could also be indicative of another issue with your bathroom, like a broken handle or stem tip or dirt stuck in the system.
One common reason a cartridge-style shower faucet won’t close completely is due to hard water deposits on its O-rings and valve housing. When this occurs, taking apart the cartridge can become difficult.
There are a few ways to remove the cartridge without damaging it. First, you can use one of Moen’s tools to loosen the plastic rotating mechanism on the cartridge. This will enable you to disengage the clip holding it in place and slide the cartridge out of its holder.
Another alternative is to lubricate the old cartridge with a light coat of silicone plumber’s grease. This will make it easier to take apart and protect it against corrosion that could otherwise cause rubber O-rings and seals in the cartridge to decay.
If the cartridge in your shower faucet is sticking, it may be time to replace it. There are various replacement cartridges available for different shower faucet models; make sure you find the one best suited to your needs.
Once you have your replacement cartridge, simply follow the instructions for installing it in your shower faucet. Ideally, the new cartridge should come with special lube inside to make inserting and installing easier.
Next, ensure both hot and cold sides of the cartridge align in exactly the same position as before. Doing this will guarantee proper water piping.
Be mindful not to apply too much pressure when taking out the cartridge, as this could damage the pipes inside of your faucet. If you are having trouble, stop and call for assistance.
Once the new cartridge is in, carefully reassemble all parts in the same order you took them out. Make sure the hot and cold sections of the cartridge are lined up identically so water flows correctly. Once satisfied with how things look, turn your shower back on!